What Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Standards in a Dog Show?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are one of the smallest of the "pit bull" type breeds. Despite their reputation in the media, Staffordshire Bull Terriers make excellent family pets due to their intelligence, temperament, and ability to calmly endure (and more frequently enjoy) roughhousing with small children. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are also beautiful and majestic animals. Nowhere is this more obvious than in a good show-quality dog.

  1. Size and Proportion

    • American Kennel Club standards state that a Staffordshire Bull Terrier should be between 14 to 16 inches tall when measured at the shoulder. Male dogs are expected to be between 28 to 38 pounds, while female dog standards are set at 24 to 34 pounds. The distance between the highest point between the shoulder blades (withers) to the base of the tail should be the same as the measurement from the withers to the ground.

    Color

    • A variety of colors are allowed in AKC show competitions. However, black-and-tan as well as liver color are not allowed entry.

    Coat

    • A smooth and short coat on Staffordshire Bull Terriers is preferred in AKC competition. Trimmed coats are explicitly proscribed, and the dog's whiskers must be totally intact.

    Head

    • Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known for their heads. Breed standards for a show dog include the characteristic broad skull, as well as prominent cheeks and a short snout. Black noses are preferred, with a pink nose being a significant deviation from breed standards. Dark eyes that point straight forward are preferred, with light eyes and pink rimmed eyes representing a fault. Full-prick and full drop ears are frowned upon by judges; rose and half-prick ears are the standard for show dogs. The bottom fang tooth (incisor) should touch the inside of the upper fang tooth. Overbites and underbites are also strongly discouraged.

    Tail

    • The tail of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier should be slightly curved and come to a point at the end. Curled and docked tails are considered a significant deviation from the breed standard.

    Legs

    • All legs should be straight and parallel with one another when viewing the dog from the back, and they should remain so when the dog is walking. Front legs should be set fairly far apart with feet turned slightly outward. The rear legs should be muscular but otherwise like the front legs.